The parties discussed recent developments in the EU and Kuwait and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining open and constructive dialogue to address challenges and exchange best practices on human rights issues.

The meeting touched upon a wide range of topics such as, labour rights -  including domestic workers and reform of the sponsorship  system - anti-discrimination and protection of persons in vulnerable situations; women’s and children’s rights; freedom of expression;  assembly and association;  illegal stateless residents; digital rights.  The two parties also discussed rule of law - including the right to fair trial, prohibition and prevention of torture and ill-treatment and death penalty, where the EU reiterated its principled opposition to it.

The EU welcomed the progress made by Kuwait on various human rights areas, especially on women empowerement.

We encouraged Kuwait to continue further alignment with international human rights law, particularly, in regard to rule of law and civil and political rights, including freedom of expression, assembly and association. The EU also called on Kuwait to accelerate the process of ratification of core international human rights covenants.

The EU and Kuwait agreed to intensify their cooperation - among other areas - on furthering women’s rights.

The sides also exchanged views on their cooperation in multilateral human rights fora, given the Kuwaiti membership in the UN Human Rights Council, with the aim to further enhance their engagement.

The next round of the EU-Kuwait Human Rights Dialogue will be held in Brussels, in 2025.